Paul Brandon BITTLE, Plaintiff/Appellant
v.
OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY, a not-for-profit corporation, and the Board Of
Trustees Of Oklahoma City University, Defendants/Appellees
No. 93684.
Court of Civil Appeals of Oklahoma.
June 2, 2000.
JOPLIN, J.
Plaintiff/Appellant Paul Brandon Bittle (Bittle) seeks review of the trial court's order granting judgment to
Defendants/Appellees Oklahoma City University, a not-for-profit corporation (OCU), and the Board of Trustees of
Oklahoma City University (Board), in Bittle's action to recover damages for alleged fraud, breach of contract and
negligence after OCU dismissed Bittle for academic reasons. In this proceeding, Bittle asserts judgment for OCU
and Board should be reversed because (1) his initial petition stated a valid claim for breach of contract, (2) the
evidence on summary judgment relative to his claims was conflicting, and (3) the trial court erred in denying him
both further discovery prior to ruling and permission to amend to cure any defect in pleading.
OCU is a private university, organized as a not-for-profit corporation and governed by Board. OCU admitted Bittle
to the OCU Law School for the fall semester of 1997. But, when Bittle's cumulative grade-point average fell below
the minimum required by OCU academic standards after the fall semester of 1998, OCU dismissed him. Pursuant to
OCU policy, Bittle sought administrative review, but upon consideration of the matter, OCU denied him relief.
Bittle then commenced the instant action against OCU and Board. In particular, Bittle alleged that his constitutional
law professor frequently arrived late for class, discharged class early, or canceled class altogether; that neither the
professor nor OCU provided make-up classes or academic counseling to assist students as OCU implicitly agreed;
and that the failures of the professor (OCU's agent), OCU and Board in these particulars caused his academic
dismissal. Bittle also alleged that OCU's internal administrative appellate procedure denied him the fundamental
protection of constitutional due process, including denial of the right to examine the evidence against him, [FN1] to
present evidence on his own behalf, and even the right to a hearing at all. On these facts, Bittle asserted claims for
fraud, breach of contract, tortious breach of contract, negligence, unjust enrichment and violation of his right to due
process, seeking actual and punitive damages.
OCU filed a motion to dismiss, asserting Bittle's failure--on the alleged facts of the case--to state an actionable claim
under any legally recognized theory of recovery. [FN2] Board filed a motion for summary judgment/motion to
dismiss, asserting no liability--as OCU's not-for-profit corporate governing body--for any OCU act or omission of
which Board had no knowledge or in which Board did not actively participate, and no contractual relationship
between Bittle and Board. [FN3]
Bittle responded to OCU's motion to dismiss, arguing viability of all claims stated in his petition, or alternatively, in
the event a ruling favorable to OCU, permission to amend to cure any defects in pleading. [FN4] Bittle also
responded to Board's motion for summary judgment/motion to dismiss, asserting--in essence--material facts in
controversy concerning each of his legally recognized claims, precluding summary judgment. [FN5] On
consideration of the briefs, submitted materials and arguments of the parties, the trial court granted judgment to
OCU and Board. Bittle now appeals, and the matter stands submitted on the trial court record. [FN6]
As a general proposition, "[t]he applicable test for appraising the sufficiency of a pleading challenged for failure to
state a claim upon which relief may be granted teaches that no dismissal may be effected unless it should appear
beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of the claim which would entitle her to relief."
Dyke v. Saint Francis Hosp., Inc., 1993 OK 114, 7, 861 P.2d 295, 298-299. Stated otherwise, "[a] petition can
generally be dismissed only for lack of any cognizable legal theory or for insufficient facts under a cognizable legal
theory." Miller v. Miller, 1998 OK 24, 15, 956 P.2d 887, 894. [FN7] Yet, "if [a] dismissal motion also tenders for
consideration materials [outside] the pleadings," the motion to dismiss is treated and reviewed as a motion for
summary judgment. Dyke, 1993 OK 1147, 861 P.2d at 299.
In this respect, "Oklahoma procedural law dictates that summary judgment is appropriate only when it appears that
there is no substantial controversy as to any material fact and that one of the parties is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law." Flanders v. Crane Co., 1984 OK 88, ¶ 10, 693 P.2d 602, 605; Rule 13(e), Rules for the District
Courts of Oklahoma, 12 O.S., Ch. 2, App. More particularly:
Summary judgment is proper only when there is no genuine issue of material fact. (Citation omitted.) The burden
is on the moving party to establish, through evidentiary material attached to the motion for summary judgment,
that no genuine issue as to any material fact exists. (Citation omitted.) Thereafter, the opposing party must submit
a statement of material facts which the party alleges are controverted and which are supported by evidentiary
materials. (Citation omitted.)
Wynn v. Avemco Ins. Co., 1998 OK 75, 7, 963 P.2d 572, 574. "[A] summary judgment ruling must be made on the
record actually presented by the litigants, not on a record potentially possible. (Citation omitted.)" Prudential Ins.
Co. of America v. Glass, 1998 OK 52, 3, 959 P.2d 586, 588. That is, "[a]lthough the allegations of the pleadings
standing alone may raise an issue of material fact, summary judgment is not to be denied if other documentation
pertinent to the motions palpably show the absence of such an issue." Weeks v. Wedgewood Village Inc., 1976 OK
72, 12, 554 P.2d 780, 784.
On appeal from an order granting summary judgment, we review by a de novo standard. Prudential Ins. Co. of
America, 1998 OK 52, 2, 959 P.2d at 588. That is, "this Court will examine [the] pleadings and evidentiary
materials to determine what facts are material and whether there is substantial controversy as to one material fact.
(Citation omitted.)" Sperling v. Marler, 1998 OK 81 3, 963 P.2d 577, 579. "If [a] substantial controversy as to a[ny]
material fact exists, then summary judgment is improper." Id.
In the present case, insofar as OCU's motions and Bittle's responses tendered for consideration evidentiary materials
outside the pleadings, the parties and the trial court treated the motions to dismiss as motions for summary
judgment. Accordingly, we review the trial court's order under summary judgment standards.
In two related propositions, Bittle complains the trial court should have granted him both further discovery prior to
ruling and permission to amend his petition to cure any defects in pleading. As to the further- discovery issue, we
find no affidavit of counsel attesting an inability to respond and need for further discovery contemplated by Rule
13(d), Rules for the District Courts of Oklahoma, 12 O.S., Ch. 2, App. [FN8] In the absence of a specific request for
further discovery supported by an affidavit of counsel attesting to the need therefor, we cannot say the trial court
erred in refusing further discovery.
As to the permission-to-amend issue, "the trial court has always possessed discretion over whether to allow an
amendment to a pleading," and "[i]ts decision will not be overturned absent an abuse of that discretion," but "the
trial court's discretion is limited by the provisions of 12 O.S.1991, § 2015(A), requiring that leave to amend be given
freely if justice requires." Prough v. Edinger, Inc., 1993 OK 130, 8, 862 P.2d 71, 75-76. That is, while the " 'outright
refusal to grant leave [to amend] without any justifying reason appearing for the denial' is an abuse of discretion, ...
there is no abuse if the court relies on a reason such as 'undue delay, bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of the
movant, repeated failure to cure deficiencies by amendments previously allowed, undue prejudice to the opposing
party ... [or] futility of amendment.' " Prough, 1993 OK 130, 9, 862 P.2d at 76. [FN9]
In denying Bittle's alternative prayer to amend, the trial court in the present case must have implicitly believed Bittle
could not amend to state a cognizable claim, i.e., that amendment would be "futile." In order to determine whether
the trial court abused its discretion in denying Bittle's request to amend, [FN10] we must consequently first
determine whether Oklahoma law recognizes an actionable tort or contract claim arising out of the relationship
between an educational institution and a student for the institution's alleged failure in its educational mission and
obligation to its students.
Bittle asserts in four of eight propositions in his petition in error that his relationship with OCU is predominantly
contractual in nature; that the law of contracts--ignored by the trial court--consequently governs the rights and
remedies of the parties; that he presented evidentiary materials arguably demonstrating OCU's breach of the parties'
contract to provide him educational services in accord with this state's regulatory norms; and that OCU presented no
evidence to the contrary, requiring reversal of the trial court's order. In one of his two remaining propositions, Bittle
complains the trial court erred in treating his claims as sounding in tort for educational malpractice.
The great weight of authority generally holds that the law recognizes no cause of action for "educational
malpractice," either in tort or contract, by a student against a private educational institution asserting inadequate or
improper instruction. See, e.g., Regents of the University of Michigan v. Ewing, 474 U.S. 214, 225, 106 S.Ct. 507,
88 L.Ed.2d 523 (1975); Swidryk v. St. Michael's Medical Ctr., 201 N.J.Super. 601, 493 A.2d 641 (N.J.Super.1985);
Paladino v. Adelphi University, 89 A.D.2d 85, 454 N.Y.S.2d 868 (N.Y.App.2d Dept.1982). The courts uniformly
reason that such a claim runs afoul of established public policy which both accords educational institutions broad
discretion in matters purely academic, particularly in the evaluation of student performance, and directs judicial
non-interference in decisions within that discretion. Id. As the New Jersey Superior Court analyzed the obstacles
inherent in application of a tort theory of recovery:
... For one, the conflicting theories of the science of pedagogy prevent[s] the construction of a workable rule of
care. In other words, different but acceptable scientific methods of academic training ma[k]e it unfeasible to
formulate a standard by which to judge the conduct of those delivering the services. Second, the nature of the
claim prevents a finding of legal causation. For example, failure in schools could stem from a variety of factors
including the student's physical, neurological, emotional, cultural and environmental background, as well as the
actual system itself. Lastly, school systems are already beset by social and financial problems for which no
solution is yet available. To expose the schools to liability in light of the above policy considerations would be an
undue burden on society. (Citation omitted.)
...
[Moreover:]
To entertain a cause of action for "educational malpractice" would require the courts not merely to make
judgments as to the validity of broad educational policies--a course we have unalteringly eschewed in the
past--but, more importantly to sit in review of the day-to-day implementations of those policies. Recognition in
the courts of this cause of action would constitute blatant interference with the responsibility for the
administration of the ... school system.... (Citation omitted.)
Swidryk, 493 A.2d at 643. On this rationale, decisions from other states in the main hold where a student is
dismissed from a private educational institution for academic reasons and brings suit asserting improper or
inadequate instruction, no cause of action either in tort or contract arises. "Liability of private school or educational
institution for breach of contract arising from expulsion or suspension of student," 47 A.L.R.5th 1, 89, § 23 (1997).
That said, however, we find some authority which suggests that an educational institution's brochures, policy
manuals and other advertisements may form the basis of a legally cognizable contractual relationship between the
institution and its students. See, e.g., Guckenberger v. Boston University, 957 F.Supp. 306, 318 (D.Mass.1997).
Consequently, where the pleadings or evidence demonstrate some specific, identifiable agreement for an educational
institution's provision of particular services to its students and an arguable breach of that specific agreement, the
courts of many jurisdictions--apparently either as outside of or an exception to the general public policy bar to
"educational malpractice" claims--recognize presentation of a potentially viable breach of contract claim. See, e.g.,
Cencor, Inc. v. Tolman, 868 P.2d 396 (Colo.1994); Ross v. Creighton University, 957 F.2d 410 (7th Cir.(Ill.) 1992);
Squires v. Sierra Nevada Educ. Foundation, 107 Nev. 902, 823 P.2d 256 (Nev.1991).
In the present case, Bittle alleged no specific agreement with OCU for the provision of particular educational
services beyond the provision of an adequate legal education. While Bittle tangentially argues OCU's own internal
policies and the accreditation standards for Oklahoma state educational institutions establish a baseline standard of
performance below which a breach of contract claim will lie, we discern no intent--either in Art. XIII-A, § 4, of the
Oklahoma Constitution [FN11] or in 70 O.S. §§ 4101, et seq., § 4103 [FN12] granting to the State Regents of
Higher Education authority to regulate and accredit private educational institutions of Oklahoma--to recognize a
private right of action for the redress of a private educational institution's alleged substandard performance under the
academic accreditation benchmarks of this state. See, e.g., Walker v. Chouteau Lime Co., Inc., 1993 OK 35, ¶¶ 3-7,
849 P.2d 1085, 1086; Holbert v. Echeverria, 1987 OK 99, ¶ 7, 744 P.2d 960, 963. See also, Swidryk, 493 A.2d at
644. [FN13]
In this respect, we are persuaded by the overwhelming weight of authority from other jurisdictions that, absent a
specific, identifiable agreement for the provision of particular services, the public policy of this state similarly
militates against recognition of a claim by a student against a private educational institution arising from the
institution's alleged improper or inadequate instruction however denominated--either in tort or contract--for
"educational malpractice." Notwithstanding his protestations to the contrary, all of Bittle's claims for fraud, breach
of contract, tortious breach of contract, negligence, and unjust enrichment commonly allege a willful or negligent
failure of OCU to provide him an adequate legal education as OCU implicitly agreed by admitting him and
accepting his payment of tuition, and Bittle has failed to identify or present evidence of any OCU brochure, policy,
advertisement or other matter which might reasonably establish a specific agreement for the provision of particular
services--beyond the provision of basic education services--as to render OCU's failure in some enumerated
particular actionable as a breach of contract. We therefore hold Bittle, in his alternative tort and contract claims,
presented neither any recognized legal theory of recovery, nor sufficient facts under any recognized legal theory,
and conclude the trial court properly granted judgment to OCU and Board on Bittle's claims of fraud, breach of
contract, tortious breach of contract, negligence, and unjust enrichment.
As to Bittle's due process claim, we first note that where state law guarantees a right to a public education upon
payment of tuition, a property interest protected by the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the
United States Constitution may arise. Harris v. Blake, 798 F.2d 419 (10th Cir.1986); Gaspar v. Bruton, 513 F.2d 843
(10th Cir.1975). However, "[i]n the case of disciplinary action by a private educational institution, the federal
constitutional requirements of due process normally do not apply, since there is no 'state action.' " Daniel A. Klein,
J.D., "Expulsion, Dismissal, Suspension, or Other Discipline of Student of Public School, College, or University as
Violating Due Process Clause of Federal Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment--Supreme Court Cases," 88 L.Ed.2d
1015, § 2(b); Coleman v. Wagner College, 429 F.2d 1120 (2nd Cir.(N.Y.) 1970) (unless state has undertaken
regulation of permissible discipline in particular circumstance at issue, imposition of discipline by private university
pursuant to internal procedures not "state action.") The mere fact that a private educational institution may be
regulated under state law, or receives direct and indirect federal assistance, does not elevate the acts of the private
institution to "state action." Tynecki v. Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, 875 F.Supp. 26, 33
(D.Mass.1994). [FN14]
Moreover, the United States Supreme Court has held that so long as an educational institution affords a dismissed
student some post-dismissal appellate procedure, the norms of 14th Amendment due process are not offended. Board
of Curators of the University of Missouri v. Horowitz, 435 U.S. 78, 85, 98 S.Ct. 948, 55 L.Ed.2d 124 (1977); Ewing,
474 U.S. at 225; Harris, 798 F.2d at 419. Indeed, the weight of authority suggests that an educational institution need
not, in the course of the post-dismissal appellate process, afford the affected student those due process protections
ordinarily afforded a party in the course of the civil or criminal adjudicatory process in order to survive due process
scrutiny. "Right of student to hearingon charges before suspension or expulsion from educational institution," 58
A.L.R.2d 903, 907 § 2. [FN15] Furthermore, at least some jurisdictions recognize that a private college's dismissal
of a student for purely academic reasons, unrelated to any other misconduct arguably contrary to school policy, is
not subject to judicial review under any circumstance as within the exclusive discretion of the educational
institution. Tedeschi v. Wagner College, 93 Misc.2d 510, 402 N.Y.S.2d 967, 970 (N.Y.Sup.1975) ("The decision to
suspend plaintiff on the basis of her academic performance cannot be disturbed nor reviewed by this Court as it is
within the purview and discretion of the school to suspend plaintiff on that ground.") See also, Swidryk, 493 A.2d at
644. [FN16]
In the present case, Bittle does not dispute that his continued enrollment at OCU was conditioned on maintenance of
a cumulative grade point average at or above that set by OCU policy. In this respect, neither the allegations of
Bittle's petition nor the evidentiary materials offered on summary judgment establish any cognizable "state action"
either guaranteeing Bittle an education at OCU, or regulating permissible discipline by OCU, as to invoke
constitutional due process protections. Moreover, Bittle admits OCU afforded him post-dismissal administrative
review, and during that process, the authorities agree Bittle is not entitled to the full panoply of constitutional due
process protections. Bittle therefore forwards no actionable violation of the due process clauses of the Fourteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution or of Art. II, § 7 of the Oklahoma Constitution in the present case.
Nevertheless, some authority suggests that if a student demonstrates both (1) some contractual agreement with the
private educational institution delineating a particular administrative procedure for the resolution of disciplinary
grievances, and (2) the institution's failure to follow its own procedures, a valid cause of action for breach of the
contractually guaranteed procedure may arise. Klein, 88 L.Ed.2d 1015, § 2(b), supra; Boehm v. University of
Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 392 Pa.Super. 502, 573 A.2d 575, 579 (Pa.Super.1990) [FN17]; Corso
v. Creighton University, 731 F.2d 529, 533 (8th Cir.(Neb.) 1982). [FN18]
In the present case, however, Bittle alleged in his petition only that OCU's internal appellate procedures did not meet
constitutional due process muster, and in response to the motions to dismiss/motions for summary judgment, Bittle
neither identified, nor offered evidentiary materials arguably demonstrating OCU's breach of any of its
administrative post-dismissal appellate procedures. Insofar as Bittle based his due process claims on denial of those
procedures ordinarily accorded litigants in a judicial proceeding, we have previously recognized ample authority for
the proposition that a student subject to a private educational institution's disciplinary action is not entitled to the full
panoply of constitutional due process safeguards. In view of the public policy considerations counseling against
judicial review of a private educational institution's disciplinary decisions generally, and of purely academic
disciplinary decisions specifically, we consequently conclude the trial court properly granted judgment to OCU and
Board on Bittle's due process claims.
The order of the trial court granting judgment to OCU and Board is therefore AFFIRMED.
ADAMS, J., and BUETTNER, J., concur.
FN1. Bittle later averred in response to the motions to dismiss/motion for summary judgment OCU's denial
of his requested access to records--allegedly destroyed--on which OCU relied both in reaching the
dismissal decision and in denying him administrative relief.
FN2. In support of its motion to dismiss, OCU attached a copy of the accreditation standards promulgated
by the Oklahoma Regents of Higher Education, arguing the Regents to be the only authority with power to
redress an accredited university's sub-standard performance, i.e., the assertion by Bittle of OCU's violation
of the accreditation standards gave rise to no private right of action by Bittle against OCU.
FN3. To its motion for summary judgment/motion to dismiss, Board attached the affidavit of the Chairman
of Board attesting that neither the issues raised by Bittle, nor review of Bittle's dismissal, had ever been
presented to Board. The Chairman also attested that Board had no contractual
relationship with Bittle,
and that the members of Board, either collectively or individually, reaped no benefit from Bittle's
enrollment at OCU, the Board members serving without compensation.
FN4. In support, Bittle attached a copy of his petition and an affidavit, in which he attested to the alleged
deficiencies of his constitutional law professor, and to absence of a program providing academic assistance
to OCU students.
FN5. Bittle attached a copy of the Regent's accreditation standards, arguing the standards minimally
required OCU to adopt internal procedures affording OCU students due process.
FN6. Rules 4(m), 13(h), Rules for District Courts, 12 O.S. Supp.1993, Ch. 2, App., and Rule 1.36,
Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules, 12 O.S. Supp.1997, Ch. 15, App.
FN7. See also, Iacampo v. Hasbro Inc., 929 F.Supp. 562, 567 (D.R.I.1996) ("Like a battlefield surgeon
sorting the hopeful from the hopeless, a motion to dismiss invokes a form of legal triage, a paring of viable
claims from those doomed by law.")
FN8. "Should it appear from an affidavit of a party opposing the motion that he cannot for reasons stated
present facts essential to justify his opposition, the court may deny the motion for judgment or may order a
continuance to permit affidavits to be obtained or depositions to be taken or discovery to be had or may
make such other order as is just."
FN9. Quoted from Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182, 83 S.Ct. 227, 230, 9 L.Ed.2d 222 (1962).
FN10. Shown by the record before us only in one of Bittle's responsive pleadings to the motions to
dismiss/motion for summary judgment.
FN11. "Private, denominational, and other institutions of higher learning may become co_ordinated with
the State System of Higher Education under regulations set forth by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education."
FN12. "A private educational institution shall be accredited under rules promulgated and adopted by the
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education unless such institution is accredited by a national or regional
accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education as a
reliable authority as to the quality of education or training offered by institutions of higher education for the
purposes of the Higher Education Act of 1965, [20 U.S.C.A. § 1001 et seq] as amended."
FN13. In rejecting this same argument in a case brought by a medical student expelled for violation of
school standards, the Court there said:
As a general rule courts will not interfere with purely academic decisions of a university. (Citation
omitted.) The New Jersey courts should not be required to sit in day to day review of the academic
decisions of a graduate medical education program. This function is best left to the state board of medical
examiners, the board of higher education and the Advisory Graduate Medical Education Council of New
Jersey.
FN14. Relying on Rendell-Baker v. Kohn, 457 U.S. 830, 102 S.Ct. 2764, 73 L.Ed.2d 418 (1982); Blum v.
Yaretsky, 457 U.S. 991, 102 S.Ct. 2777, 73 L.Ed.2d 534 (1982); Jackson v. Metropolitan Edison Co., 419
U.S. 345, 95 S.Ct. 449, 42 L.Ed.2d 477 (1974).
FN15. "[T]he weight of authority is to the effect that no formal hearing is required, that is, that the hearing
need not be conducted with all the formalities of a trial in a court, even where a statute requires a hearing.
Under this view it has been held not necessary that formal (written) charges be preferred, that evidence in
support of the charges be introduced at the hearing, that the witnesses be heard under oath, that the student
be represented by counsel, that he be confronted with the witnesses against him, that he be permitted the
privilege of cross-examination as a matter of right, or that the hearing be governed by the strict rules of
evidence." (Footnotes omitted.)
FN16. See, footnote 13, supra ("As a general rule courts will not interfere with purely academic decisions
of a university.")
FN17. Private school "students who are being disciplined are entitled only to those procedural safeguards
which the [private] school specifically provides."
FN18. The Eighth Circuit ruled that where the school's student handbook specifically regarded expulsion as
serious penalty, and granted a student subject to a serious penalty the right to appellate hearing after
expulsion, but the school conducted no such hearing, the trial court's order enjoining further action by the
school pending hearing should be affirmed.